Shivaji University's First Principal R K Kanbarkar Award to be Given to C.N.R Rao

The first Principal R K Kanbarkar Award of the Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK) will be given to eminent scientist Bharat Ratna C N R Rao. The award distribution ceremony will be held on April 12

Kanbarkar was the university's former vice-chancellor and passed away last year. His family donated Rs 25 lakh to the university to institute an award for excellence in various fields. A panel was formed, under the chairmanship of vice-chancellor Devanand Shinde, to name the first recipient of the award. The committee unanimously selected Rao for the award. Kanbarkar award consists of a cash prize of Rs 1.51 lakh and a citation. Kanbarkar was the VC of Shivaji University from 1980 to 1983. After his retirement, he was engaged with several social organizations in Kolhapur and remained an active participant of social movements.

Rao, born on 30 June 1934, in Bangalore completed his graduation in chemistry from Mysore University in 1951. He pursued his postgraduation from Banaras Hindu University and completed doctoral research from Purdue University in USA. He then became head of IIT, Kanpur. Rao have contributed to more than 1,500 research reports and is an author of over 50 books. HHe is the third scientist in India after C V Raman and Abdul Kalam to get countrys top civilian award Bharat Ratna.

"The university has decided to take this award to the national level. "Each year we will select the best candidate from fields such as education, culture and sports. Rao is the perfect choice for the first award considering his great contribution to the Indian science."